JAKARTA, Indonesia — As a former Calgary teacher accused of sexually abusing a student at a school in Indonesia made an appearance at the start of his trial Tuesday, his family says lawyers will appear in court next week to try to get the case thrown out.

Neil Bantleman was charged along with teaching assistant Ferdinant Tjiong. Both maintain their innocence, as do fellow teachers and the principal at the Jakarta International School.

Speaking to reporters from behind bars after appearing in the South Jakarta District Court, Bantleman appeared joking and relaxed but said he wanted the truth to be told.

“It’s time for justice,” he said.

“It’s time to end corruption in this country. We need all the international help and assistance that we can get,” he added.

“By exposing the truth … we can go back to doing what we love to do, which is teach, and we can go back to our families that we love and miss,” he said before waving goodbye to his supporters.

Guy Bantleman said his brother had hoped the charges would be dropped by now, but the prospect of being able to challenge the “wild allegations” is giving his brother grounds for optimism.

He said Bantleman’s legal team will move to have the case thrown out, and will appear in court next week to file the exemption paperwork for having the case dismissed.

Bantleman said it’s expected to take up to three weeks for a decision on whether his brother will head to trial, a process he says would take another three to six months.

He said that the family is concerned about whether the court process will be fair and transparent, but it will at least give his brother a chance to fight back.

“While we never thought we’d get to trial, it’s getting to a point where we can confront the accusers in a court of law, we can see their alleged evidence, we can start to understand more about the allegations and ultimately refuting them and clearing Neil’s name,” Guy Bantleman said in an interview.

“Having the ability to know that there is something coming up on the horizon, something short term, that will drive Neil … he needs something to cling on to and have hope about.”

Bantleman’s legal team will also try to have him transferred out of prison and into home arrest, said his brother, adding that he has been harassed by fellow inmates and is concerned for his safety.

On Tuesday, around 60 teachers and parents of pupils at the school protested outside the court in support of the pair.

“Free the innocents. We are here for you, Neil and Ferdi. We believe in you,” they shouted.

The men, who have been in custody since July, are being tried separately in closed-door sessions.

A judge read out the charges in Tuesday’s session. The accused were not required to enter a plea.

Five janitors at the school are being tried over the same allegations. A sixth died in custody.

Canadian teacher Neil Bantleman, left, consults with his attorney Hotman Paris Hutapea prior to the start of his trial hearing at South Jakarta District Court.Tatan Syuflana/The Associated Press

Tracy Bantleman, right, wife of accused Canadian teacher Neil Bantleman, listens to Siska Tjiong, wife of co-accused Indonesian teaching assistant Ferdinand Tjiong, during a rally to support their husbands at the South Jakarta court in 2014.Adek Berry/AFP-Getty Images

Parents hold a rally to support Canadian teacher Neil Bantleman and co-accused Indonesian teaching assistant Ferdinand Tjiong at the South Jakarta court.Adek Berry/AFP-Getty Images

Tracy Bantleman (C) blows a kiss to her husband Neil, as the audience leaves the closed-door trial at the South Jakarta court.Adek Berry/AFP-Getty Images

Canadian teacher Neil Bantleman sits inside a court room while waiting for his trial on Dec. 2.Adek Berry/AFP-Getty Images

Guy Bantleman said that while consular officials are providing assistance, the family last week received a letter from the office of Lynne Yelich, junior minister responsible for consular affairs, stating Ottawa won’t pressure Indonesia to release his brother from jail.

Supporters of Bantleman and Tjiong say the victim, who was six at the time the alleged abuse occurred, was subject to suggestive questioning by inexperienced police. The abuse was alleged to have happened at a room in the school during teaching hours.

The family of the victim is suing the school for $130 million.

The school in southern Jakarta is attended by the children of foreign diplomats, businesspeople and Indonesia’s elite. It has 2,400 students aged 3 to 18 from about 60 countries.

Bantleman moved to Indonesia four years ago with his wife, Tracy, who also teaches at the school.

“She’s very strong,” Guy Bantleman said of his sister-in-law. “But she lives and breathes it every second of her waking hours. It’s trying, frustrating.”

Both Bantleman and Tjiong could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

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